Justifications are defensive explanations

Chaya- Playing Pratima

Granny was supposed to give her ring to Nani today. It was a winning ceremony for Nani. Sadly, my pawn will granulate this ceremony.

Granny took out her ring and kissed it. Her eyes were closed but I could see emotions flowing in them. The movement of her eyeballs and the bobbing of her throat were indicating the pain she felt.
Nani was standing in the small lobby of the Motel where the drama was to begin.

Dressed in black pants and a tunic top, Nani was looking like an incarnation of a witch. Granny went to her and quietly gave her ring in a box. Before Nani could put her dirty hands on the ring box, my minion came.

"Hello, Grandmothers." Badal touched their feet. While granny just put her hand as an obligatory blessing, Nani kissed his forehead.

"What lovely timing dear. Asha was just giving me her proposal ring. The ring which was supposed to be in my name. But she tricked the boy of my dreams with her..."

"Rama, just take it. Let's not elaborate on this anymore." Granny shut Nani from saying further.
Nani gave her a winning smile and forwarded her hand.

"Nani, that's such an old silver ring. I am sure Pri's grandfather was not of your taste. Your taste is exclusive just like that solitaire on your finger. This ring will not even look good on you. Let granny have it. It's old and boring just like her. Why don't we go to Anmol Jewellers in the evening? The owner is my friend and has a discount offer on the making. But, Nani, if this your choice that place is not for you." Badal smartly devised a plan to stop the transfer.

The boy earned points for his intelligence.

"Uh! Of course Badal I don't like the ring. I was only taking back what rightfully belonged to me. But, I guess I will let Asha enjoy its possession while I shop for some specially priced jewellery with you." Nani was such a scoundrel.

She only wanted to trouble granny and check how desperate she was.

Who was this family of my grandmother that still shivered her? Was she a mafia's daughter or politician's or someone influential?
I left the thought because this called for a celebration. I hugged granny when we were in our room. I made her do my happy dance. Did I tell you I was a fantastic dancer? I danced to express my emotions.

"Haha! Leave me you, idiot." Granny sat down all tired from my dancing.
I was happy to hear her swearing again.

"What happened to that rascal Badal? What is his agenda? Pri, you have been working with him lately. I hope you have not done anything. I don't want you to involve yourself with him." Granny warned me and I hated to lie.

But, my plan was working. If, giving him a little piece of me meant my granny's happiness I didn't mind.
The thought suddenly made me think, we often ridicule sluts and prostitutes. They also work to fulfil their or their family's needs. If my act was justified theirs was too.

I coaxed granny by telling her, "I am big and smart now. He is in check. Whatever he did has helped us so let's not focus on anything else." She bought my excuse because probably she was too happy to be suspicious.

Now, was the moment to face Badal. I will have to do something to keep away from his dirty moves. I was thinking while walking to the office when he grabbed me from behind and locked us in an empty room.
Oh, Fuck!

He was moving his face in my hair thinking it was a seductive move.
"So, is my Princess happy with my performance?" he asked tightening his grip around my waist.

"Yea... Yeah. Absolutely. Nani bought your excuse and granny is happy. Thank you." I was standing still. A little movement would mean arousing him more.

"Now payment time. Not like last night. I had to take a cold shower. Let's heat up." Badal was progressing towards my ear.

No! No! That was my sensitive point.
His hands were going up towards my assets and I had to act fast.
God! Help me.

As if God heard my prayer, his phone rang and after a frustrated groan, he answered it. "What? I am coming."
"Pri, sweetheart we will continue later. Something at the site requires my immediate attention."

I tried to look sad and unhappy. So, he promised to make it up.
Just go now, pervert. He left and I sighed in relief.

"Hello, Uday, did you find what I asked you to?"

*********************************************************************************************************************
Pratima- Playing Chaya

I woke up with a smile. A big and gratifying smile.
A smile that reached my eyes or began from my eyes, I didn't know.
I was sitting on the same bed with my crush in very revealing clothes last night and he behaved like a gentleman. I was happily sad.
Why?
Did I want him to do something? Probably? Probably not? A kiss to the max.
"Ah! Stop lying to yourself Pri. You wanted him to do everything you ever fantasised and fancied." I was shying away from my thoughts.

A knock on my room brought me back to reality. I was only role-playing but my feelings and emotions were real. Unfiltered and unadulterated.

Garima came to set up my bathroom. It was a duty that was not required. I could take my towel and fill my tub. Set my clothes and apply moisturiser. Guess, that's why they called a princess, a 'Princess'.

After a long relaxing shower, I wore loose pyjamas and a t-shirt. I did not bother to apply any makeup. Not even kohl. I left my hair to dry naturally. I know my new mother won't like it but I wanted to be me today. I wore my specs and headed to breakfast.

I was grinning like a fool. Walking... No hopping like a little girl.
I saw Prince on the dining table. "Hallucinating now are we, Pri?" I questioned myself.
Huh!
Stupid girl stop imagining him.
Huh?
He was actually there and the royals were looking at me in disbelief. I was looking like an ugly duckling. I turned back and wanted to run away when I heard him laughing.

My new father joined him but I know he will scold me later. What I was waiting for was my new mother's reaction. She will kill me.

"Princess, please join us." The prince requested controlling his laughter.
Idiot. Hasn't he ever seen a simple girl?

Garima blinked her eyes suggesting I should and I walked slowly to the dinning table.

Prince pulled a chair for me and I sat without looking at him.
I ate breakfast in silence not meeting my new mother's eyes or my new father's or the Prince's. I was too embarrassed.

Why was he here? Again he was doing something without telling me. If whatever he told last night was untrue, I will be heartbroken. I don't think I will ever trust anyone.

"Chaya, what are you doing?" My new mother asked me.
I looked at her confused. She pointed at my plate. I was eating a boiled egg with a pancake. Eh! What a weird combination. It didn't taste bad though.

"Is there a problem, Princess?" The Prince asked me hiding his smile.
Jerk.

I nodded in a no and Garima changed my plate. "No. It's okay." I separated the egg from the pancake and ate. My new father was hiding his anger I knew but I won't waste food.

Breakfast was done and my new father took us to his study. This was bad news. This room was scary. He sat on his huge chair and prince and I were sitting opposite to him on a sofa. I was nervous.

Prince was smiling unusually. I knew he was commenting about my appearance in his head.

"So, this is about last night." My new father said and Prince and I lost our colours. Did he know?

"Don't look so shocked. I know about the Prince trespassing the palace boundaries and entering your room last night. It is an act we don't appreciate. You went to a party and stayed late there. What you do there is not of my concern. I trust you as adults. But, the palace has several people working and I cannot shut their mouths. You both are not engaged as yet. This gives rise to gossips." My new father was not wrong. This was an unacceptable act and as a father, he had every right to be annoyed.

"Besides, what Chaya was wearing while sleeping, if she was wearing the same while the Prince was with her, I propose they be married immediately." My new mother's accusation was hurting. How could she be so blunt? I felt ashamed.

"Your highness, I agree we have broken the rules and given a reason to gossip but I assure you we have not done anything inappropriate. Princess was not even aware I will barge into her room at midnight. We disagreed over something and it was my fault, so I came to apologise. I cannot sleep if the princess is annoyed. But, that was it. Regarding her clothes, the lights were too dim for any show. Rest assured, clothes and lifestyle are the last things that grab my attention. It's her as an individual that rules my heart." The Prince explained to my parents.
His words.
I rule his heart?
He lies so confidently? All this was a lie too? What he said last night, that too?

The Prince pressed my hand for assurance and I looked at him. His eyes told me he was not lying. I hope I am reading them correctly.

"Very well then. Since you both seem so inseparable, I will speak to your father and you both will get engaged within this week."

*********************************************************************************************************************
Chaya- Playing Pratima

"Pri, you will be amazed to know what I found. Since the day I saw Badal in the Motel, I started digging details about him. How can I spare someone who harms or is a potent threat to my sister? We need to be very careful before involving ourselves in this. I am sending you a few pictures. I have to cross verify a few things before exposing the rascal." Uday gave me the hope that I longed for.
What a gem of a boy he was. So protective, so caring, so compassionate. He was not of royal bloodline but he was a true Prince.

"Uday how do I thank you? You are a blessing. I will take care. Don't worry. But try and be as quick as you can." I requested him. I will try my best to dodge Badal for tonight. I have to. The pictures were shocking. Badal if this is your real face, you should be five feet under already.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Pratima- Playing Chaya

The news fell like a bomb on me and I am guessing on the Prince too.

"Papa, I think we..." I shut my mouth instantly because my new father's outrageous eyes warned me to keep quiet.

He got up from his desk and spoke on the phone. The Prince was tapping his foot and I was playing with my fingers. Should I tell them I am not their Princess? I need to speak to Chaya. I took my phone out and was about to dial her number when my new mother snatched my phone. Thankfully, the number was stored in the name of Pri.

"Prince is right next to you. Why are you calling him?" My new mother raised her brow and questioned? "But, that's sweet you have saved his number as Pri. Don't you think the spelling should be P-R-E, though?"

I covered my face with my hair. My best shield. She gave me my phone back and went to where my new father was.

I quickly messaged Chaya about the situation. I was typing furiously and hiding from the Prince was also essential. It was because of him I was in this predicament.

"Can I ask who are you informing?" Prince suddenly asked. He sounded angry.

"A... a friend," I answered.

"Ragini will know eventually," Prince told me.
Ragini?

"Not Ragini. Someone else." I corrected him. She was not my only friend.

"What's with Pre? I don't like that nickname. It's very girlish. Change it." He told me very cutely.
What was wrong with me? It was a crisis and I was admiring him.

I restricted my self to a giggle and whispered, "I can call someone else by nickname too. Besides, this Pri is not you."
I continued typing but Chaya was not responding.

"You are forbidden to give or call anyone by nicknames other than your children."

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers,

This update is dedicated to my beloved friend ReenaAgarwal8.

Chaya has finally got Badal to do her work and save granny's ring.
What are your thoughts on girls using their body to fulfil their and their families needs?
Uday has found something against Badal. How will the duo trap him?

Pratima and Prince are going to get engaged soon. Will it happen or will they find a way to delay the engagement?
Why does it irk the Prince if Pratima calls someone else with a nickname?

Find out!

Stay hooked!
Lots of love